Your job
We are looking for a postdoc with an interest in climate dynamics to join the Horizon-Europe project Climtip (climate tipping points: uncertainty-aware quantification of earth system tipping potential from observations and models and assessment of associated climatic, ecological, and socioeconomic impacts), within a large European consortium.

Your research will focus on two subjects:

• the efficient determination of tipping behaviour in Earth System Models (ESMs), particularly on how to identify multi-stable regimes in these models; and
• on the application of rare event techniques to tipping in ESMs. One key goal here is to develop techniques to efficiently determine transition pathways using advanced Machine Learning techniques. Additionally, the application of these techniques will be extended to more detailed climate models, in determining transition probabilities of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and the Subpolar Gyre.

Feeling driven and ambitious to work on this project? Check if you have multiple if not all of the following qualifications:

• a PhD in physics, applied mathematics, meteorology, geosciences or a related field;
• excellent skills in scientific programming and numerical / statistical analysis of simulated and observed data;
• experience with machine learning applications;
• experience with climate modeling and climate model output analyses;
• basic knowledge of (geophysical) fluid dynamics.

We are looking for a colleague who demonstrates motivation and a strong eagerness to learn, and who can work independently as well as part of a team.

• A job for 1.0 FTE;
• A temporary employment contract for 2 years;
• A working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.226,- and € 5.090,- in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow.

At the Faculty of Science, there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects. Find out more about us on YouTube.

The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU) offers a unique research and teaching environment, in which the fundamentals of the climate system are studied. Research is organized in five themes: Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry, Coastal and Shelf Sea Dynamics, Ice and Climate and Oceans and Climate. In 2023, an international visitation committee judged IMAU research to be of outstanding quality and highly relevant. Currently, IMAU employs 15 faculty members and 10 support staff and some 20 Postdocs and 30 PhD candidates, and offers a friendly, open and international atmosphere.